Improvement in heels for boots and shoes



CHARLES A. READ, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

IMPRQVEMENT IN HEELS FOR BCOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,407, datedSeptember 26, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLESl A. READ, of Bridgeport, in the county ofFairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and ImprovedRubber Heel for Leather Boots; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing` is a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which willenable others skilled in the art to makeand use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming part of thisspecification.

Figure 1 represents a bottom view of my improved heel. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspond ing parts.

My invention consists in an India-rubber heel with a canvas coveringvulcanized tothe top and bottom of the heel. 'The nature of the rubberis such that, without the canvas being vulcanized to the top and bottom,the heel would be of no use and of no value for the purpose for which Ipropose to use it. The rubber is naturally brittle, and would break ortear by the rough usage received while being worn on a boot or shoe. Theobject, therefore, of vulcanizing the canvas to the bottom of the heelis to make it strong and tough, to knit it together, and to make it moresolid, firm, and tenacious-like leather. Another object is to produce aiirm and durable surface, to which can be cemented a lift (or layer) ofleather, which, when worn out, can be removed without injury to the heeland allow a new lift (or layer) of leather to be cemented in place of itwith `but little trouble or expense. This could not be doneaseffectually or with as little trouble and expense Without vulcanizingthe canvas to the bottom of the heel. The object of vulcanizing thecanvas to the top of the heel is to produce a rm surface, in order tocement it to the bottom of the boot or shoe 5 also, Vto enable the heelto be removed without being injured from a worn-out boot or shoe, makingone heel outwear several boots or shoes.

gle thickness, and serves to remove the actual wear om the rubber.

The advantage of the rubber-spring heel to the human body is to giverelief to the frame and nervous system, holding the same directcommunication and having the same relation thereto that the springsunder cars, carriages, or wagons do to the vehicles themselves. It takesup the jar which the body receives when walking upon the hard pavementor floor. Every one has observed how easily the nervous system of adiseased or wounded person is shocked by unevenness of step or inlifting the legs when going up an incline. It is equally true, though inless degree, on a level. A great difference in the effect upon the frameis observable upon a concrete sidewalk. The elasticity of the walkcauses you to feel relieved, because it is elastic and un.- like theordinary iiag or brick walk. It is simply storing up the power ofgravity used in putting down the foot and utilizing it to assist intaking it up.

Having thus described my invention, what I .claim as new, and desire toprotect by Letters Patent, isV

The ruwejrgA, having the canvas a b respectively vulcanized to the upperand lower parts thereof, and the leather layer c cemented to the bottom,all arranged as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES A. READ.

Witnesses SAM. B. SUMMER, FRANcIs Ivns. (13)

